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NAFCU and other financial services industry trade groups this week spoke with staff from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai's and Commissioner Michael O'Rielly's offices on the agency's efforts to target illegal robocalls.

Later this month, the FCC is set to consider an order and further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPR) related to establishing a safe harbor from liability for voice service providers (VSPs) that block unwanted calls.

During the discussions with Pai's and O'Rielly's offices, NAFCU reiterated its concerns that legitimate calls are continuing to be blocked by voice service providers (VSPs) under the STIR/SHAKEN caller identification framework meant to target illegal robocalls. While the FCC issued a report and order in April to require VSPs to implement the frame work by June 30, 2021, many have already begun to do so.

The association also asked that the VSP safe harbor set for consideration include a requirement that credit unions be effectively notified if their calls are being blocked so they can pursue redress mechanisms with VSPs and that redress mechanisms address the mislabeling of calls in addition to blocking calls.

NAFCU – both independently and in coordination with other financial trade associations – has urged the FCC to initiate a rulemaking to implement other provisions of the TRACED Act that require the FCC to address erroneous blocking or mislabeling of legitimate calls. NAFCU has also sought additional transparency and consistency in call labeling and blocking.

NAFCU also reiterated concerns with the framework to commissioners' staff during several meetings in March.

Additionally, NAFCU previously filed a petition and encouraged the FCC it to expedite efforts to ensure financial institutions can contact consumers on matters related to the coronavirus pandemic during the national emergency. NCUA Chairman Rodney Hood voiced support for the request in a recent letter to Pai. The CFPB has also backed this request. 

NAFCU has actively worked with the FCC on efforts to modernize the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) for many years, and will continue its advocacy to ensure credit unions can contact their members regarding important, time-sensitive information, without fear of frivolous litigation.